When should I have a new all-ceramic crown versus the older style porcelain fused to metal (pfm)?
This paradigm shift is well underway. The new generation CAD-CAM Zirconium all-ceramic crowns are the esthetic choice for anterior (front) teeth requiring highly esthetic, natural results. Procera, Empress, and LAVA are brands of these types of crowns. Although strong and esthetic, they are not yet the choice when bridgework is needed or if the patient grinds and/or clenches. Hand-made porcelain fused to metal crowns have been the workhorse of the crown and bridge for over 50 years and still have many advantages in the posterior regions, but this is being challenged strongly by zirconium based crown technology with the rapid advancements in computer driven milling of zirconium oxide materials. Ask your dentist about which type of crown is best for you!
